Rope Pulling Exercise Apparatus with Variable Resistance

ABSTRACT

A rope pulling exercise apparatus with variable resistance has a main supporting frame, a rotary cylinder assembly pivotally mounted on the main supporting frame, a rotary wheel pivotally mounted on the main supporting frame, a driving device and a resistance generating device. The rotary cylinder assembly has a pull-rope wrapped around a rotary cylinder. The driving device has a driving wheel coaxially mounted on the rotary cylinder, a driven wheel coaxially mounted on the rotary wheel, aligning with the driving wheel and being smaller than the driving wheel in radius, and a transmission belt mounted around the driving wheel and the driven wheel. The resistance generating device selectively resists rotation of the rotary wheel. The rope pulling exercise apparatus provides a user one more option on choosing fitness equipments, and increases the user&#39;s desire on exercising.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus, especially to a rope pulling exercise apparatus with variable resistance.

2. Description of the Prior Art(s)

With progress of the society, people's activities are more and more depending on machines and technical products. The people without regular and enough exercises have reduced muscle strength and mass. Therefore, the people nowadays should have to pay attention to exercise.

Diseases of affluence occurring on the modern people are relevant to if the people exercise regularly. Mentally, exercise is helpful in reducing stress and tiredness. As the people are in good moods, the people are also good in interpersonal relationships. To have habits of exercise allows the people to have high self-esteem and have confidence on themselves. Physically, exercise is helpful in increasing metabolism, improving cardiovascular health, reducing incidence of heart disease and apoplexy, and lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

Moreover, through weight training, muscles can be trained to support bones and joints and to protect important organs of a human body, so the people become strong and health. Since doing exercises is not only good for mental and physical health but also protects a human body, in urban areas with high population density, the people go to exercise in fitness clubs, sports centers or gymnasiums. However, since fitness equipments in the fitness clubs, the sports centers or the gymnasiums are almost the same, the people might feel bored over time, and lose their desire to keep on exercising.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a rope pulling exercise apparatus with variable resistance to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a rope pulling exercise apparatus with variable resistance. The rope pulling exercise apparatus has a main supporting frame, a rotary cylinder assembly, a rotary wheel, a driving device and a resistance generating device. The rotary cylinder assembly is pivotally mounted on the main supporting frame and has a pull-rope wrapped around a rotary cylinder. The rotary wheel is pivotally mounted on the main supporting frame. The driving device is disposed between the rotary cylinder and rotary wheel and has a driving wheel coaxially mounted on the rotary cylinder, a driven wheel coaxially mounted on the rotary wheel, aligning with the driving wheel and being smaller than the driving wheel in radius, and a transmission belt mounted around the driving wheel and the driven wheel. The resistance generating device is disposed adjacent to a peripheral surface of the rotary wheel and selectively resisting rotation of the rotary wheel.

When a user pulls the pull-rope of the rotary cylinder assembly, the rotary cylinder rotates accordingly and the rotary cylinder rotates the rotary wheel through the driving device. The resistance generating device applies rotational resistance to the rotary wheel. Thus, the user can pull the pull-rope back and forth to train himself The rope pulling exercise apparatus provides the user one more option on choosing fitness equipments, and increases the user's desire on exercising. Moreover, as the driving wheel is larger than the driven wheel in radius, the rope pulling exercise apparatus provides effective fitness effect.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a rope pulling exercise apparatus with variable resistance in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the rope pulling exercise apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another enlarged perspective view of the rope pulling exercise apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged side view of the rope pulling exercise apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an operational partial enlarged side view of the rope pulling exercise apparatus in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial enlarged side view of a second embodiment of a rope pulling exercise apparatus with variable resistance in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an operational partial enlarged side view of the rope pulling exercise apparatus in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a third embodiment of a rope pulling exercise apparatus with variable resistance in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial enlarged side view of the rope pulling exercise apparatus in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is an operational partial enlarged side view of the rope pulling exercise apparatus in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 6 and 8, a rope pulling exercise apparatus with variable resistance in accordance with the present invention comprises a main supporting frame 10, a rotary cylinder assembly 20, a rotary wheel 30, 30A, a driving device 40, a resistance generating device 50, 50A, 50B, a guide wheel assembly 60 and a housing 70.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the main supporting frame 10 has a bottom support 11, an upright support 12, a cushion 13 and a mounting bracket 14. The upright support 12 and the cushion 13 are separately mounted on the bottom support 11. The mounting bracket 14 is mounted on a top of the upright support 12 and has a lower support 141, a first side support 142, a first mount 1421, a second mount 1422 and a second side support 143. The lower support 141 protrudes in and is connected to the upright support 12, and has two ends. The first side support 142 is attached to one end of the lower support 141. The first mount 1421 protrudes from the first side support 142 and has a mounting portion 14211. The second mount 1422 protrudes from the first side support 142 and is separately disposed by the first mount 1421. The second side support 143 is attached to the other end of the lower support 141.

With further reference to FIG. 3, the rotary cylinder assembly 20 is pivotally mounted on and disposed between the first side support 142 and the second side support 143 of the mounting bracket 14 of the main supporting frame 10. The rotary cylinder assembly 20 has a rotary cylinder 21, a pivot shaft 22 and a pull-rope 23. The rotary cylinder 21 is disposed between the first side support 142 and the second side support 143. The pivot shaft 22 is axially mounted through the rotary cylinder 21 and has two ends each respectively connected pivotally to the first side support 142 and the second side support 143. The pull-rope 23 is wrapped around the rotary cylinder 21.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 8, the rotary wheel 30, 30A is pivotally mounted on the mounting bracket 14 of the main supporting frame 10, is non-coaxial with the rotary cylinder 21 and has a peripheral surface.

As shown in FIG. 3, in a first preferred embodiment, the rotary wheel 30 may be mounted on the second mount 1422 of the first side support 142 of the mounting bracket 14.

As shown in FIG. 8, in a third preferred embodiment, the rotary wheel 30A may be mounted on the lower support 141 of the mounting bracket 14.

The driving device 40 is disposed between the rotary cylinder 21 and the rotary wheel 30, 30A and has a driving wheel 41, a driven wheel 42 and a transmission belt 43. The driving wheel 41 is coaxially mounted on an end surface of the rotary cylinder 21. The driven wheel 42 is coaxially mounted on an end surface of the rotary cylinder 30, aligns with the driving wheel 41 and is smaller than the driving wheel 41 in radius. The transmission belt 43 is mounted around the driving wheel 41 and the driven wheel 42.

With further reference to FIGS. 4, 6 and 8, the resistance generating device 50, 50A, 50B is disposed adjacent to the peripheral surface of the rotary wheel 30, 30A and selectively resists rotation of the rotary wheel 30, 30A.

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, in the first preferred embodiment, the resistance generating device 50 has a band 51, a magnetic portion 52 and an adjusting member 53. The band 51 has a fastening end 511, a free end 512 and an inner surface. The fastening end 511 of the band 51 is securely attached to the first side support 142 of the mounting bracket 14. The free end 512 of the band 51 is movable relative to the mounting portion 14211 of the first mount 1421 of the mounting bracket 14. The inner surface of the band 51 corresponds to the peripheral surface of the rotary wheel 30. The magnetic portion 52 is mounted on the inner surface of the band 51. The adjusting member 53 is rotatably mounted through the mounting portion 14211 of the first mount 1421 of the mounting bracket 14 and the free end 512 of the band 51, and selectively adjust distance defined between the mounting portion 14211 of the first mount 1421 of the mounting bracket 14 and the free end 512 of the band 51 to allow the band 51 to be close to or to leave the peripheral surface of the rotary wheel 30. The adjusting member 53 has a bolt 531 and a knob 532. The bolt 531 is mounted through the mounting portion 14211 of the first mount 1421 and engages the free end 512 of the band 51. The knob 532 is mounted on an end of the bolt 531 and is disposed beside the mounting portion 14211 of the first mount 1421.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, in a second preferred embodiment, the first mount 1421 of the first side support 142 further has a fastening portion 14212A. The resistance generating device 50A has a band 51A and an adjusting member 53A. The band 51A has a fastening end 511A, a free end 512A and an inner surface. The fastening end 511A of the band 51A is securely attached to the fastening portion 14212A of the first mount 1421 of the first side support 142. The free end 512A of the band 51A corresponds to the fastening end 511A of the band 51A. A distance defined between the free end 512A and the fastening end 511A of the band 51A is adjustable. The inner surface of the band 51A abuts the peripheral surface of the rotary wheel 30.

With reference to FIG. 9, in the third preferred embodiment, the resistance generating device 50B has a band 51B, a resilient assembly and an adjusting member 53B. The band 51B is mounted around the rotary wheel 30A and has a fastening end 511B and a free end 512B. The resilient assembly is mounted on the free end 512B of the band 51B and has a slider 5122B and a resilient element 5121B. The resilient element 5212B has two ends each respectively connected to the free end 512B of the band 51B and the slider 5122B. The adjusting member 53B has a bolt 531B. The bolt 531B is rotatably mounted on the mounting portion 14211, and is mounted through and engages the slider 5122B. When the bolt 531B of the adjusting member 53B is rotated, the slider 5122B slides along the bolt 531B.

With reference to FIG. 8, the guide wheel assembly 60 is mounted by the rotary cylinder 21. The pull-rope 23 slidably abuts the guide wheel assembly 60. Preferably, the guide wheel assembly 60 has two guide wheels 61. The guide wheels 61 are rotatably disposed adjacent to each other. The pull-rope 23 is mounted and held between and abuts the guide wheels 61 of the guide wheel assembly 60.

The housing 70 is mounted around the mounting bracket 14 of the main supporting frame 10, the rotary cylinder 21, the rotary wheel 30, 30A, the driving device 40, the resistance generating device 50, 50A, 50B and the guide wheel assembly 60. The pull-rope 23 of the rotary cylinder assembly 20 is mounted through the housing 70 and is partially exposed to exterior of the housing 70.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, a user can stand or sit on the cushion 13 of the main supporting frame 10 and pulls the pull-rope 23 of the rotary cylinder assembly 20 back and forth with his two hands to train corresponding muscles of his body. When the pull-rope 23 is pulled, the rotary cylinder 21 rotates accordingly and the rotary cylinder 21 rotates the rotary wheel 30, 30A through the driving device 40. Attachment of the resistance generating device 50, 50A, 50B to the peripheral surface of the rotary wheel 30, 30A can be adjusted in order to adjust rotational resistance applied to the rotary wheel 30, 30A, so the user can adjust the rotational resistance applied to the rotary wheel 30, 30A according to his physical condition and exercise intensity. Moreover, since the driving wheel 41 is larger than the driven wheel 42 in radius, a rotational speed of the rotary cylinder 21 is slower than a rotational speed of the rotary wheel 30, 30A. Whenever the user pulls the pull-rope 23 to rotate the rotary cylinder 21 to turn a full circle, the rotary wheel 30, 30A turns more than one circle. With the rotational resistance that the resistance generating device 50, 50A, 50B applies to the rotary wheel 30, 30A, a force that the user apply to the pull-rope 23 to turn the rotary cylinder 20 a full circle and the rotary wheel 30, 30A multiple circles is larger than a force that the user apply to the pull-rope 23 to turn each of the rotary cylinder 21 and the rotary wheel 30, 30A a full circle.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the first preferred embodiment, the magnetic portion 52 of the resistance generating device 50 applies magnetic force to restrict rotation of the rotary wheel 30. Thus, by adjusting the distance defined between the first mount 1421 of the mounting bracket 14 of the main supporting frame 10 and the free end 512 of the band 51 with the adjusting member 53, a distance defined between the band 51 and the peripheral surface of the rotary wheel 30 changes accordingly. Consequently, the rotational resistance applied to the rotary wheel 30 is adjusted and the rotation of the rotary wheel 30 is restricted.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the second preferred embodiment, the band 51A is substantially circular. With friction formed between the band 51A and the rotary wheel 30, the rotation of the rotary wheel 30 is restricted. Specifically, by adjusting the distance defined between the free end 512A of the band 51A and the first mount 1421 of the mounting bracket 14 of the main supporting frame 10 with the adjusting member 53A, the distance defined between the band 51A and the peripheral surface of the rotary wheel 30 changes accordingly. When the free end 512A of the band 51A leaves the mounting portion 14211, an area that the band 51A contacting the peripheral surface of the rotary wheel 30 is enlarged. Consequently, the rotary wheel 30 is getting difficult to be rotated. On the other hand, as the free end 512A of the band 51A gets close to the mounting portion 14211, the area that the band 51A contacting the peripheral surface of the rotary wheel 30 is reduced or eliminated. Thus, the rotary wheel 30 can be rotated easily.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, by adjusting position of the slider 5122B on the bolt 531B of the adjusting member 53B, length of the resilient element 5121B are adjusted. Consequently, tightness of the band 51B that abuts the rotary wheel 30A, the rotational resistance applied to the rotary wheel 30A, and a rotational tendency of the rotary wheel 30A are adjusted accordingly. Moreover, the guide wheel assembly 60 guides the pull-rope 23 and prevents the pull-rope 23 from being worn away by the housing 70.

The rope pulling exercise apparatus as described has the following advantages. The resistance generating device 50, 50A, 50B is disposed around the rotary wheel 30, 30A and applies the adjustable rotational resistance to the rotary wheel 30, 30A. When the user pulls the pull-rope 23 of the rotary cylinder assembly 20, the rotary cylinder 21 rotates accordingly and the rotary cylinder 21 rotates the rotary wheel 30, 30A through the driving device 40. The resistance generating device 50, 50A, 50B applies the rotational resistance to the rotary wheel 30, 30A. Thus, the user can pull the pull-rope 23 back and forth to train himself. The rope pulling exercise apparatus provides the user one more option on choosing fitness equipments, and increases the user's desire on exercising. Moreover, as the driving wheel 41 is larger than the driven wheel 42 in radius, the rope pulling exercise apparatus provides effective fitness effect.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A rope pulling exercise apparatus comprising a main supporting frame having a mounting bracket; a rotary cylinder assembly having a rotary cylinder pivotally mounted on the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame; and a pull-rope wrapped around the rotary cylinder; a rotary wheel pivotally mounted on the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame and having a peripheral surface; a driving device disposed between the rotary cylinder and the rotary wheel and having a driving wheel coaxially mounted on an end surface of the rotary cylinder; a driven wheel coaxially mounted on an end surface of the rotary cylinder, aligning with the driving wheel and being smaller than the driving wheel in radius; and a transmission belt mounted around the driving wheel and the driven wheel; and a resistance generating device disposed adjacent to the peripheral surface of the rotary wheel and selectively resisting rotation of the rotary wheel.
 2. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resistance generating device has a band having an inner surface corresponding to the peripheral surface of the rotary wheel; and a magnetic portion mounted on the inner surface of the band.
 3. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resistance generating device has a band having an inner surface abutting the peripheral surface of the rotary wheel.
 4. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame has a mounting portion; the band of the resistance generating device has a fastening end securely attached to the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame; and a free end corresponding to and being movable relative to the mounting portion of the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame.
 5. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame has a mounting portion; the band of the resistance generating device has a fastening end securely attached to the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame; and a free end corresponding to and being movable relative to the mounting portion of the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame.
 6. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the resistance generating device further has an adjusting member rotatably mounted through the free end of the band and the mounting portion of the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame.
 7. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the resistance generating device further has an adjusting member rotatably mounted through the free end of the band and the mounting portion of the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame.
 8. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the resistance generating device further has a resilient assembly having a slider slidably mounted on the adjusting member; and a resilient element having two ends each respectively connected to the free end of the band and the slider.
 9. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the resistance generating device further has a resilient assembly having a slider slidably mounted on the adjusting member; and a resilient element having two ends each respectively connected to the free end of the band and the slider.
 10. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adjusting member has a bolt mounted through the free end of the band and the mounting portion of the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame.
 11. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adjusting member has a bolt mounted through the free end of the band and the mounting portion of the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame.
 12. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the adjusting member has a bolt mounted through the mounting portion of the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame; and the slider of the resilient assembly of the resistance generating device is mounted on the bolt of the adjusting member.
 13. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the adjusting member has a bolt mounted through the mounting portion of the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame; and the slider of the resilient assembly of the resistance generating device is mounted on the bolt of the adjusting member.
 14. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main supporting frame has a bottom support; and an upright support mounted on the bottom support; the mounting bracket of the main supporting frame is mounted on a top of the upright support.
 15. The rope pulling exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rope pulling exercise apparatus further has a guide wheel assembly mounted by the rotary cylinder; and the pull-rope of the rotary cylinder assembly slidably abuts the guide wheel assembly. 